Nuclear regulators inspect NJ plant

October 22, 2008 6:11:42 AM PDT

LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) - October 22, 2008 --

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is investigating the Salem nuclear power plant to find out why there was an apparent loss of reactor coolant during a routine maintenance procedure. Commission spokesman Neil Sheehan says there was no danger to the public, but the Oct. 15 incident has raised concerns about procedures at the plant.

Sheehan says investigators are looking into why the level of pressurized water in the reactor coolant system of Unit 1 at the plant was improperly measured. He said the level in the pressurizer could not be determined for more than eight hours.

The commission plans to issue its findings 45 days after finishing the inspection, which could take a week.